TALLAHASSEE, Fl (WTXL) -- Florida State University's plan to introduce a new sexual violence prevention and intervention program is now underway thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Avon Foundation for Women. This grant will allow two members of the FSU community, researcher Annelise Mennicke and sexual violence prevention coordinator Kori Pruett, to attend a week-long bystander intervention training program which will serve as the foundation for FSU's own training program.
FSU's bystander intervention program will be designed to help educate students and promote safe and realistic ways to help prevent sexual violence on campus.
The development of this program has stemmed from the recent campus campaign referred to as #kNOwMORE. The campaign efforts are aimed at educating students about being responsible members of the FSU community, with special focus on sexual violence issues. FSU's Interim President, Garnett S. Stokes has played a major role in the #kNOwMORE campaign since it's kickoff in September, and has announced several initiatives dedicated to preventing sexual violence on campus. Some of these initiatives include a "one-stop" website that provides information on sexual violence; how to report it, contact information for the Victim Advocate Program and the university's counseling center, and all frequently asked questions about sexual violence. Florida State has also implemented a new, interactive online training program for freshman and transfer students called "Think About It" that discusses sexual violence prevention, intervention, and healthy relationships.
Florida State is also currently searching for a permanent full-time Title IX Director to continue to carry-out and coordinate the campaign's efforts, including the development, implementation and monitoring of appropriate policies, procedures and practices to ensure compliance with federal and state law.
In light of the campaign's launch of the bystander intervention program, FSU's Women Student Union, in partnership with the Division of Student Affairs and FSU's Film School will release a short PSA film featuring a series of nightlife events and ways in which students can "Uphold the Garnet & Gold" and strive to be responsible members of the Florida State Seminole community. A panel discussion will follow the conclusion of the film.
The #kNOwMORE: What Would You Do? Film launch and panel will take place on Thursday October 9th at 7pm in the Oglesby Union Ballrooms. Doors open at 6:30pm.
